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Admission Criteria

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Programs offered

The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) is Western Canada’s first college of naturopathic medicine and offers a full-time four-year 5,000-hour intensive on-site program which includes approximately 1,500 hours of clinical training and culminates in the professional “Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine” designation. A six-year program (part-time schedule) offers the same stringent program over an extended timeframe, allowing students time for part-time work or other obligations.

  • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine 4-year (full-time) and 6-year (part-time) programs available

Important dates and deadlines

Four-year Program

  • August 9, 2010: next four-year program start date
  • November 30, 2009: priority application deadline (priority consideration for interviews and acceptance was granted to applicants who met this deadline).
  • March 1, 2010: application deadline for the August 9, 2010 intake
  • Please note: Boucher will only be accepting applications beyond the deadline for the waitlist. Please contact the Director of Admissions if you are interested in applying for the waitlist: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Six-year Program

  • January 2012: next six-year program intake
  • Continuous application, interview & enrolment period until all seats are filled.
    Applications are currently being accepted for the six-year program

General Criteria for Admission

The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine evaluates all applicants in accordance with the constitutional guidelines that protect the rights of individuals. The primary objective of the applicant screening process is to assure that applicants accepted into the program have made an informed commitment to naturopathic medicine as a career and that there is a good match between the applicant's goals and expectations and what the Boucher's unique program has to offer. Applicants must be temperamentally and morally suited to the profession, and must have a reasonable probability of successfully completing the program and becoming licensed to practice in a regulated jurisdiction.

The successful applicant is expected to:

  • have demonstrated reasonable academic ability in previous educational endeavours;
  • have reasonable knowledge of and realistic attitudes towards health and healing and towards naturopathic medicine in particular, understand the importance of self-care, demonstrate a reasonable understanding of holistic health care, and be able to discuss the role of the healer in the natural self-healing process;
  • have some knowledge and personal experience of naturopathic medicine;
  • recognize the ongoing responsibilities inherent in a life of service to the community as a naturopathic physician;
  • understand that naturopathic medicine is a rapidly advancing field in which there is a continuing need to update skills and knowledge by keeping current with journals and through continuing education;
  • have realistic expectations regarding the income potential of naturopathic physicians, be aware of the potential for mental and emotional stress involved in this occupation, and have an understanding of the relationship of naturopathic medicine to other health care professions;
  • have devoted sufficient time and energy to researching the naturopathic medicine profession and, considering personal goals and expectations, to be confident in this career choice;
  • have an appreciation of the importance of diversity in society and show evidence of the maturity, emotional stability, and physical ability necessary to engage in the activities required for naturopathic training and practice;
  • be able to demonstrate an ability for critical thinking and have good communication skills;
  • be able to discuss professionalism as it applies to the provision of health care;
  • be able to provide references as to character and ability;
  • be able to demonstrate adequate financial resources to become a full time student.

Applicants who meet the academic requirements specified in the drop down menu under Admissions Requirements and who have also satisfied the above criteria, as evidenced through their application, essay, reference letters/referee forms, resume and interview, are eligible for admission to the Institute at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Transfer Credits from another Naturopathic Medicine Program

At this time we are accepting transfer applications from students who have successfully completed the basic sciences at a CNME– accredited or candidate college and are eligible to write the NPLEX Part 1, provided there are seats available in the BINM program. Transfer applicants must meet the same entrance requirements as all other BINM students and follow the same application procedure, as outlined above. Transfer applicants must apply for transfer credits on a course by course basis. Transfer applicants who are recommended by the Admissions Committee may be offered a seat in the program if there are seats available. Upon successful completion of the application process, the applicant must meet with the Dean of Academics and/or the Dean of Clinical Studies to determine if the courses taken meet the BINM criteria for transfer credits and/or clinic competencies. A fee is required for the transfer credit evaluation process. A comprehensive examination covering course content may be required.

At BINM, the basic sciences are offered simultaneously as an integrative course, and not taught separately as at other CNME – accredited institutions. The Biomedicine course within the Biomedical Sciences program integrates the following courses in its content and is taught over the first two years. The course includes contributions from physiology, biochemistry, pathology, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, and laboratory diagnosis.

Procedure for a Transfer Applicant

  1. Applicant must contact BINM Admissions Office to ensure there is space available in the academic cohort into which the applicant wishes to transfer.
  2. Applicant must complete full application process.
  3. Applicant must complete an ‘application to transfer credits’ form and submit with non-refundable fee of $150 (for transcript and credit evaluation).  Please contact the Admissions Department directly to receive this application form at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  4. Original transcripts and form kept in applicant file and photocopy of each provided for Dean of Academics and/or Dean of Clinical Studies.
  5. Dean(s) review application for transfer credits. Upon successful completion of the application process, the applicant must meet the Dean(s) to review credit transfer application.
  6. Dean(s) return form to Admissions and credit (if awarded) is entered into applicant file.
  7. Applicant is informed of decision.

Review and download the Application for Credit Transfer Form. For additional information, contact our Admissions Office, by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at: 604-777-9981.

Advanced Standing from other professions

Advanced standing is available to applicants other than transfer applicants depending on the availability of seats. Credit for courses is assessed on a course by course basis. Applicants with professional licenses (post-graduate degrees only) in other health care professions (such as chiropractic, dentistry, medical doctors) are welcome to apply for advanced standing. All applicants who seek advanced standing in specific BINM courses must first complete the BINM application procedure (as outlined above), apply for advanced standing and then meet with the Dean of Academics. Each applicant will be analyzed on a case by case basis, and may be required to pass a comprehensive examination covering course content. No more than two years advanced standing is granted and there is no waiver of clinic credits, clinic practicum hours, or clinic competencies. Only those courses taken from “recognized post-secondary institutions” in Canada and the USA, graduate university courses, and ICES or from WES evaluation of foreign university and graduate level courses may be considered for advanced standing credit. Advanced Standing applicants must have either:

  1. A valid MD, DO, or DC degree and show they have passed the USMLE Step I, NBCE or COMLEX Part I Examinations less than ten years prior to enrollment in BINM;
  2. A current medical license and show they have been in continuous medical practice, in medical research, enrolled in medical school, or in teaching in a medical school in the time between passing the USMLE Step I, COMLEX, or NBCE Part I Examinations and applying for admission with BINM;
  3. An academic record in good standing with another CNME-approved college at the time of application.

International applicants: Applicants who obtained their MD, DO or DC degree in a country other than Canada or the US, must provide the equivalent documentation and information from the country in which they obtained their degree and/or license as outlined in steps 1 and 2 above. For credentials earned outside of the USA and Canada a "comprehensive evaluation" must be completed from ICES or from WES.

Procedure for an Advanced Standing Applicant

  1. Applicant must contact BINM Admissions Office to ensure there is space available in the academic cohort into which the applicant wishes to transfer
  2. Applicant must complete full application process
  3. Applicant must complete an ‘application for advanced standing’ form and submit with non-refundable fee of $150 (for transcript and credit evaluation).  Please contact the Admissions Department directly to receive this application form at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  4. Original transcripts, and form kept in applicant file and photocopy of each provided for Dean of Academics and/or Dean of Clinical Studies.
  5. Dean(s) review application for advanced standing. Dean(s) meet with applicant to review advanced standing application.
  6. Dean(s) return form to Admissions and credit (if awarded) is entered into applicant file.
  7. Applicant is informed of decision.

For additional information, please download our current Academic Calendar or contact our Admissions Office, by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at: 604-777-9981.